Revelstoke racers looking for support

Revelstoke athletes Andrew McNab and Melanie Bernier leave pretty much everyone else doubled over from exertion. McNab and Bernier specialize in “SkiMo” – short for ‘ski mountaineering racing.’ While you might be slapping on the climbing skins for a casual jaunt up to Diamond Head or even Balu Pass near Revelstoke, McNab and Bernier have likely donned their skins and are halfway up the hill in the time it’s taken to read this sentence.Photo by
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When it comes to mountain fitness – that somewhat intangible combination of cardio, route-finding smarts, and skiing ability – it’s a good bet that Revelstoke athletes Andrew McNab and Melanie Bernier leave pretty much everyone else doubled over from exertion.

McNab and Bernier specialize in “SkiMo” – short for ‘ski mountaineering racing.’ While you might be slapping on the climbing skins for a casual jaunt up to Diamond Head or even Balu Pass near Revelstoke, McNab and Bernier have likely donned their skins and are halfway up the hill in the time it’s taken to read this sentence.

SkiMo is largely a European phenomenon. Skiers wearing ultra-light gear – most of it made by Dynafit, in Austria, climb up steep tracks using climbing skins to provide traction and grip. Then, depending on the course, they might climb a steep snow and ice covered chute to the top of a col, carrying their skis strapped on to their minimalist backpack. The final stage of the race is a thigh-burning schuss usually down an unpacked slope – known as skiing ‘off piste.’ It is actually so much tougher than it sounds – to think that people routinely race through terrain which takes the average backcountry skiers many hours is rather mind-boggling. You can get a better idea by watching this video.

McNab and Bernier are at the top of their game and have pretty much won everything that there is to win in Canada. This winter, they’ve got their sights on spending their time in Europe, competing in World Cup tour events and at the World Championship in France. But it takes a lot of money to traipse through Europe for the winter, so McNab and Bernier have introduced a unique online silent auction of gear, clothing, and services, in order to raise funds. They’ll also be hosting a fundraiser in their home town of Revelstoke on Saturday, Dec. 15 at The Last Drop, starting at 7 p.m.. Best of luck to both of them in their fundraising efforts and on the Euro tour. You can also find out more about Melanie’s exploits on the most excellent G3 House Blend blog.

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